Leaders praise state’s capital plan as money pours into Southern Illinois

Funding helps state agencies build, improve, and renovate aging facilities

Projects throughout Downstate Illinois are being funded by $46 million in Capital Development Board investments made possible by the state’s Rebuild Illinois capital plan.

The money will be used to improve and renovate various state agency buildings in the state’s southern regions. The funding will help address maintenance projects at state agencies that was deferred over many years.

“When I took office, I promised to make real investments in communities across the state and to dedicate funding to projects that improve the lives of Illinois residents. Through the Rebuild Illinois bipartisan capital plan, the first in nearly a decade, communities are finally receiving the support for long overdue projects that were neglected under prior administrations,” said Gov. JB Pritzker said in a statement.

“The members of the Southern Illinois Mayors Association are very pleased to see the investment from the Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan and the State of Illinois into capital projects in our member’s communities, said Mayor Robert Spencer, president of the Southern Illinois Mayors Association.

Fairview Heights Mayor Mark T. Kupsky, president of Southwestern Illinois Council of Mayors, spoke similarly.

“These additional funds will provide for much needed improvements and operational efficiencies for the agencies that will be receiving the funds across our multi-county area. We appreciate the continued reinvestment into our local agencies and infrastructure,” Kupsky said.

Information on the Rebuild Illinois funded projects and locations are listed below. Project values represent cost estimates at the time of the funds’ release.

Clinton County

Centralia Correctional Center – $3,215,000: The project includes replacing the fire alarm system throughout the facility.

“When hard-working Illinoisans’ tax dollars are being spent by the state, I do what I can to make sure they are spent effectively, efficiently, and that there is a return on that investment. The Centralia Correctional Center and the Murray Development Center are major facilities for both Clinton and Marion County. These investments will improve public safety, assist our corrections officers, and shows a continued commitment to some of the most vulnerable Illinoisans,” said state Sen. Jason Plummer, R-Edwardsville.

“The maintenance of our existing facilities is critically important to promote the longevity and usefulness of our assets, and I appreciate that through Rebuild Illinois we are addressing some of these needs, especially at our correctional and developmental centers. These investments will have a noticeable impact for all those residing and working at these facilities, while also creating jobs for our area workforce,” said state Rep. Charlie Meier, R-Okawville.

Crawford County

• Robinson Correctional Center – $257,600: The project includes replacing the water softeners in the housing units, healthcare, laundry, and dietary buildings.

Jersey County

• Pere Marquette State Park (shown) – $6,966,500: The project includes upgrading the water supply system to the park by connecting to the Jersey County Rural Water District or upgrading and fully staffing the existing water plant after determining the cost/benefit of each option. Also included is replacing the deteriorated water distribution system throughout the park.

Johnson County

• Cache River State Natural Area – $739,000: The project includes removing and replacing approximately 16,000 square feet of roofing in the Wetlands Center, which has a cedar shake roof that has reached the end of its lifespan. Project also includes repairing copper gutters and adding new guttering.
• Shawnee Correctional Center – $1,584,700: The project includes replacing the water heater serving the segregation and receiving housing units at the Administration Building and the water heaters in the four cell houses.
• Vienna Correctional Center – $6,000,000: The scope of work provides for replacing the main substation with a utility owned substation, replacing the medium voltage cabling, and sectionalizing switches and transformers throughout the facility.

Lawrence County

• Lawrence Correctional Center – $584,600: The project includes removing and replacing the headworks of the sanitary sewer system. The new system will have the ability to remove solids from the sewer, wash and compress those solids, and dispose of them in a dumpster. The work also includes providing a building over the headworks to protect the equipment from the elements, all the while providing for code required electrical and ventilating requirements.
• Lawrence Correctional Center – $264,400: The project includes installing water softeners to service domestic water heaters in two buildings.

Madison County

• Alton Mental Health Center – $339,800: The project includes replacing and expanding the existing duress system.

“The Alton Mental Health Center has been providing inpatient mental and behavioral health services for more than a century, and with this investment, Illinois is working to accommodate the center’s transitional needs. By releasing this funding, our state is prioritizing safety for all those living and working in the facility,” said state Sen. Rachelle Crowe, D-Glen Carbon.

“As member of the House Appropriations – Human Services Committee, I know too well the needs of our mental and behavioral health facilities across the state. This investment to the Alton Mental Health Center will further enhance the safety of both residents and staff members, and I appreciate the Rebuild Illinois capital plan providing the tools needed to these centers to safely carryout their mission,” said state Rep. Amy Elik, R-Fosterburg.

Morgan County

Illinois School for the Deaf – Jacksonville, – $1,739,100: The project includes replacing approximately 53,700 square feet of roofing on three buildings. The work includes sheet metal, membrane, insulation, and all necessary accessories.

Perry County

Du Quoin Work Camp – $585,100: The project includes removing and replacing approximately 14,000 square feet of standing seam roofing and removing and replacing the gutters and downspouts.

“The commitment for improvements to the Du Quoin Impact Program facility was a particular reason for my support of the Rebuild Illinois capital plan. In my 20 years of service to the Illinois Department of Corrections, I saw the significant impact the services provided here had on inmates and their families, and I eagerly await this facility reopening,” said state Sen. Terri Bryant, R-Murphysboro.

Randolph County

• Chester Mental Health Center – $1,027,400: The project includes providing a new CCTV system including operating software, cameras in the areas where patients have access, servers, and storage hardware updates.
• Menard Correctional Center – $21,249,200: The project includes replacing the 4160-volt primary electrical distribution system at this facility. The work includes all new primary medium voltage cabling underground and overhead, from the point of supply by the serving utility to the step-down transformers supplying the facility. The work also includes new substations, medium voltage switching units, and medium voltage transformers.

“As both Minority Spokesperson for the Senate Behavioral and Mental Health Committee, and a 20-year employee of the Illinois Department of Corrections, I have great appreciation for each of these facilities and the services provided. Financial commitments of this magnitude demonstrate Illinois’ commitment to preserving its’ assets, while ensuring staff and residents have the tools needed for success,” said state Sen. Terri Bryant, R-Murphysboro.

“Chester Mental Health Center and Menard Correctional Center are two vital institutions of the 116th District. I am pleased to see investments being made that will support not just our human service and correctional institutions but will give the staff of these facilities the necessary tools they need to complete their work,” said state Rep. David Friess, R-Red Bud.

St. Clair County

Southwestern Correctional Center – $1,860,900: The project includes replacing the fire alarm and CCTV systems throughout the facility.

“As member of the Senate Criminal Law Committee, and a former probation officer, I understand the logistics of these correctional centers and the need for fully functioning life safety devices. I’m very appreciative Illinois is properly maintaining the facilities that host hundreds of inmates and staff on any given day,” said state Sen. Christopher Belt, D-Cahokia.

“Today’s release of funding to the Southwestern Correction Center will enhance the safety and security for inmates and the staff. The Rebuild Illinois capital program was a historic bipartisan effort to preserve our assets across the state, and this is yet another example to the long-term investments we’re all committed to,” said state Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea.

“The Southwestern Correctional Center is an important facility for the local families of inmates and is a major employer of the Metro East region. It’s critically important that we continue to give the staff and inmates of these centers the tools needed for their success, and I’m thankful we’re doing exactly that,” said state Rep. LaToya Greenwood, D-East St. Louis.

The historic Rebuild Illinois capital plan passed with bipartisan super-majorities and will invest $45 billion in roads, bridges, railways, universities, early childhood centers, and state facilities like the new crime lab and veterans’ homes, creating, and supporting an estimated 540,000 jobs over the life of the six-year plan and revitalizing local economies across the state.

About the Illinois Capital Development Board: The Illinois Capital Development Board oversees the construction of new state facilities, such as prisons, state parks, mental health institutions, and college and university projects. In addition, CDB is responsible for renovation and rehabilitation projects at over 8,770 state-owned buildings spread over more than 100 million square feet of floor space.